lifepo4 (lithium iron phosphate) battery is gradually replacing traditional lead-acid car battery due to its high power density (3,000W/kg) and wide temperature range operation (-30℃ to 60℃). In accordance with the SAE J537 standard test, the cold start current (CCA) of lifepo4 is 850A (600A for lead-acid battery of the same model), and the start success ratio in the -20℃ condition has been increased to 98% (72% for lead-acid battery). The Tesla Model 3 owner modification example shows that by installing the 100Ah lifepo4 battery, the weight of the vehicle lowered by 18kg (32kg is the weight of the lead-acid battery), and added range totaled 5.2km (EPA standard).
In economic terms, the upfront cost of lifepo4 is 280/50Ah (120 for lead-acid batteries), yet its cycle life is 3,000 times (80% DoD), while its overall life cycle cost is merely 37% of that of lead-acid batteries. According to the German ADAC Automotive Association’s calculation on an average of 500 starts per year, the total holding cost of lifepo4 in 10 years is 0.03 per use, 75% less than that of lead-acid batteries (0.12 per use). The actual test data of Didi Chuxing’s vehicle fleet in China show that following the replacement of lifepo4 batteries, the average replacement frequency of taxis per year has dropped from 1.8 times to 0.2 times, and the maintenance expenditure has reduced by 89%.
In the safety aspect, the lifepo4 thermal runaway ignition temperature is as high as 270℃ (the lead-acid battery electrolyte ignition temperature is 130℃), and the UL 1973 certification says that its overcharge withstand voltage can be as high as 4.2V (maximum of lead-acid battery 2.4V). According to statistics from the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), from 2020-2023, lead-acid batteries were responsible for 0.17 incidents per 10,000 vehicles, while lifepo4 systems had no incident record. It has ±5mV accuracy in its BMS (Battery Management System) voltage control. In the high-temperature state of the engine compartment (85℃), SOC estimation error is ≤1.5% (the estimation error of lead-acid batteries will be more than 15%).
From an environmental adaptability point of view, lifepo4’s IP67 level of protection can withstand high-pressure car wash gun water (10MPa pressure) and salt spray (concentration of 5%NaCl). Dubai Taxi Company’s actual test indicates that, after 18 months of ongoing operation at the high temperature of 55℃, the capacity retention rate for lifepo4 is 92.3% (the capacity of the lead-acid battery dropped to 61%). Users in the Arctic part of Norway reported that at low temperature -35℃, using self-heating technology (with 0.4W/℃ power consumption), the start-up time was reduced from 8.2 seconds of lead-acid batteries to 3.5 seconds with a 99.6% success rate.
Regulations and market trends indicate the EU will implement the “Automotive Battery Eco-Design Regulation” in 2025, where new batteries should be able to endure at least 2,000 cycles. Lead-acid batteries are under phasing-out pressure. Byd’s Blade Battery technology is ready for some Toyota hybrids. Actual tests show that charging and discharging efficiency is 96% (80% for lead-acid batteries), and energy recovery gain is increased by 23%. The lifepo4 penetration rate in the global automotive starting battery market will be 58% by 2027, redefining the benchmark for power storage in vehicles, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance.